Lawn debris bag

ABSTRACT

A lawn debris bag device is provided and includes a bag member used to hold lawn debris, a support pole for use in holding the first end of the bag member in an open and upright position, and a method for engaging and thus securing the ends of the support pole into the ground. The support pole includes a plurality of sheath members and a method for connecting the sheath members together. The support pole can be positioned into a first condition where the sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve and a second condition where the sheath members are arranged such that their axes are parallel with each other for easy storage.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 60/487,318 filed Jul. 15, 2003 and from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 60/497,986 filed Aug. 26, 2003 both of which areincorporated herein by reference.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for debriscollection systems and more specifically to methods and apparatuses forcollecting, storing and disposing of lawn debris.

B. Description of the Related Art

The desire to maintain lawns is shared by many including home owners,businesses, national and state parks, etc. Such maintenance requires thecollection and disposal of lawn debris including fallen leaves, fallentwigs, cut grass and other debris from lawn care activities. It isfrequently difficult to efficiently collect and transport such debris tothe place of disposal.

In an effort to minimize these difficulties, various lawn bags have beenproposed for collecting lawn debris. U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,103 to Hayes etal. (Hayes), for example, discloses a collapsible frame that supports aleaf bag in an open condition to receive leaves and the like. The frameincludes a flexible rod that is received within a pair of stabilizingfeet. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,028 to Blackaby et al. (Blackaby)discloses a support frame for supporting a lawn bag on the ground withits mouth open to receive leaves raked into the bag. The support frameincludes a flexible rod that fits within a clip member.

The support frames for lawn bags provided by Hayes, Blackaby and othersmay work according to their intended purpose. However, these knowndevices share the problem of being difficult to disassemble anddifficult to store when not in use. The flexible rods used by such knowndevices are particularly cumbersome to maneuver after use and forstorage. Thus, what is needed is a lawn debris bag that can easily beset-up on the ground to receive lawn debris but that can also be easilydisassembled into readily manageable components.

Another problem with known lawn bag systems is the difficultly insecuring the bag to the ground. This difficulty is magnified when thelawn bag is used with especially hard ground. Hayes does not addressthis problem as the stabilizing feet that receive the flexible rod arefree to move relative to the ground. The ends of the flexible rod ofBlackaby can be inserted into the ground. However, no provision is madefor especially hard ground where the insertion of the flexible rod intothe ground would be very difficult. What is needed is a lawn debris bagthat can easily be secured to the ground surface, whether the groundsurface is soft or hard.

The invention of this patent application overcomes these problems andprovides a lawn debris bag that can easily be set-up on and secured tothe ground, whether soft or hard, and can also be easily disassembledinto readily manageable components using a sectional flexible supportpole.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention, a lawn debris bag includes asupport pole having first and second ends, a bag member having a firstopen end and a second closed end, and a method for engaging the firstand second ends of the support pole into the ground. The preferredsupport pole is used to hold the first end of the bag member in an openand upright position. The preferred support pole also can be positionedinto a first condition where the pole defines a continuous line or curveand a second condition where the pole components are arranged such thattheir axes are parallel with each other

According to another aspect of this invention, the support pole mayinclude a plurality of sheath members with each sheath member having afemale end and a male end. The female end of one sheath member receivesa male end of another sheath member with a notch-in-groove connection.

According to another aspect of this invention, the support pole mayinclude: (a) an elastic cord; (b) multiple sheath members that receivethe elastic cord; and, (c) multiple collar members that receive theelastic cord. A first collar member can be located between a first and asecond sheath member to connect the first and second sheath memberstogether. A second collar member can be located between the second and athird sheath member to connect the second and third sheath memberstogether.

According to still another aspect of this invention, the preferredmethod for engaging the first and second ends of the support pole intothe ground includes: (a) providing a first peg member having a first endthat can be inserted into the ground and a second end with an openingthat receives the first end of the support pole; and, (b) a second pegmember having a first end that can be inserted into the ground and asecond end with an opening that receives the second end of the supportpole.

According to another aspect of this invention, a preferred method ofusing a lawn debris bag is provided. This preferred method includes thefollowing steps: 1) providing a support pole that has first and secondends and that includes first, second and third sheath members; 2)providing a bag member that has a first open end and a second closed endwhere the first end has a sleeve; 3) positioning the support pole into afirst condition where the first, second and third sheath members arearranged to define a continuous line or curve; 4) inserting the supportpole into the sleeve in the bag member to hold the first end of the bagmember in an open and upright position; 5) engaging the first and secondends of the support pole into the ground; 6) removing the support polefrom the ground and from the sleeve in the bag member; and, 7)positioning the support pole into a second condition where the first,second and third sheath members are arranged such that their axes areparallel with each other.

According to still another aspect of this invention, a preferred methodof engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into theground includes the following steps: 1) providing first and second pegmembers each having first and second ends; 2) inserting the first end ofthe first peg member into the ground; 3) inserting the first end of thesupport pole into an opening in the second end of the first peg member;4) inserting the first end of the second peg member into the ground;and, 5) inserting the second end of the support pole into an opening inthe second end of the second peg member.

One advantage of this invention is that the lawn debris bag can easilybe set-up but can also be easily disassembled into readily manageablecomponents. This easy set-up/disassembly advantage helps the endoperator as well as retail stores that may display the lawn debris bagof this invention.

Another advantage of this invention is that the lawn debris bag caneasily be secured to the ground surface, whether the ground surface issoft or hard.

Still another advantage of this invention is that the lawn debris bagcan be emptied at either end.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a readingand understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive lawn debris bag of FIG. 13with an operator positioned to place lawn debris into the lawn debrisbag.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive lawn debris bag of FIG. 1shown in its storage packaging when not in use.

FIG. 3 is a view of the inventive lawn debris bag of FIG. 2 removed fromits packaging.

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic representation of the inventive lawndebris bag of FIG. 1 showing the closeable section in an open position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of portion X-X shown in FIG. 4 showing thepreferred double slide zipper used as the securing means.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of portion Y-Y shown in FIG. 4 showing one ofthe handles.

FIG. 7 shows the operator of FIG. 1 assembling the inventive lawn debrisbag according to one method by connecting sheath members together usinga collar member.

FIG. 8 is an exploded schematic view of portion Z-Z shown in FIG. 7showing how one embodiment of the support pole is designed.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing the sheath members and collar members ofone embodiment of the support pole prior to connecting the sheathmembers together.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the support pole assembled anddefining a continuous line.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the support pole assembled anddefining a curve.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the end of the support pole, witha cap, positioned to be inserted into the sleeve of the bag member.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the support pole being insertedinto the sleeve of the bag member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an operator beginning to place one endof the support pole into the ground.

FIG. 15 shows three stages in the process of forming a first embodimentpeg member having a stop member.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an end of the support pole positionedto be inserted into a second embodiment peg member.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of an end of the support polepositioned within the second embodiment peg member.

FIG. 18 shows top and side views of a third embodiment peg member.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a conventional stake that can optionally beused to pilot holes into the ground that receive the ends of the supportpole.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an operator beginning to remove thesupport pole from the ground.

FIG. 21 shows an operator pulling the inventive lawn debris bag by thehandles toward a vehicle.

FIG. 22 shows an operator preparing to attach the inventive lawn debrisbag to the transport vehicle with a hook member.

FIG. 23 is a perspective schematic representation similar to that shownin FIG. 4 but showing an alternate embodiment where the lawn debris baghas opening means at the second end of the bag member.

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of portion W-W shown in FIG. 23 showing thepreferred zipper used to secure the opening means.

FIG. 25 is a side view of another embodiment for the support pole with aportion shown cut-a-way to show how the spring is received within thesheath member.

FIG. 26 is a perspective schematic representation showing how the sheathmembers of FIG. 25 are connected together.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forpurposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 4 show a device 50 forholding lawn debris such as leaves, twigs, grass cuttings, mulch andother debris from lawn care activities. The inventive device 50 may alsobe used to hold other types of debris chosen with sound judgment. Thedevice 50 includes a support pole 52 having first and second ends 54,56, a bag member 100 having a first open end 102 and a second closed end104, and ground engaging means 108 for use in engaging the first andsecond ends 54, 56 of the support pole 52 into the ground 154.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 8-9, in a first embodiment the supportpole 52 includes a plurality of sheath members 60 and connecting means61 for selectively connecting the sheath members 60 together. In thisfirst embodiment, the connecting means 61 includes an elastic cord 58that is received by the plurality of sheath members 60 that receive anda plurality of collar members 62 that also receive the elastic cord 58.By “receiving” the elastic cord 58, it is meant that the elastic cord 58is positioned within the sheath members 60 and the collar members 62, asshown. In the preferred embodiment, each end 54, 56 of the support polehas a cap 64. A cap 64 fits over the end of each distal sheath member 60and serves to maintain the sheath members 60 and the collar members 62on the elastic cord 58. The cap 64 also is used to assist with theground engaging means 108 as will discussed further below.

With reference now to FIGS. 7-9, to connect one sheath member 60 to aneighboring sheath member 60, the collar member 62 positioned betweenthe two sheath members is used. More specifically, the collar member 62has an opening on one end that receives a first sheath member 60 andanother opening on the other end that receives the neighboring sheathmember 60. This connection between an end of a sheath member 60 and anopening in the collar member 62 is a press-fit connection that forms arigid connection that permits the support pole 52 to be used to hold thefirst end 102 of the bag member 100 in an open and upright position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, the press-fit connection can be easilydisconnected, when desired, by pulling the sheath member 60 away fromthe collar member 62. When disconnected, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheathmembers 60 and collar members 62 can be positioned side by side bysimply bending the portion of the elastic cord 58 that is not, at thattime, received within the sheath members 60 and collar members 62. Thisdesign feature, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, makes storage of the supportpole very easy to accomplish and assures that only minimal space isrequired for storage.

With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, 8 and 10-11, as a result of thisinventive support pole design, the support pole 52 is selectivelypositionable into a first condition, where the sheath members 60 andcollar members 62 are arranged to define a continuous line, such asshown in FIG. 10, or a curve such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11. To supportthis curved arrangement, it is preferred that the sheath members 60 beformed of a flexible material such as fiberglass, plastic or othermaterial chosen with sound engineering judgment. However, it is alsopreferred that the sheath members 60 return to their natural generallylinear form when they are not under loads that force them into thecurved arrangement. When in this first condition A-A, the support pole52 is ideal for insertion into the bag member 100 and for maintainingthe bag member 100 in an open and upright position. The support pole 52is also selectively positionable into a second condition where thesheath members 60 are arranged such that their axes are parallel witheach other, such as shown in FIG. 3. When in this second condition B-B,the support pole 52 is ideal for insertion into a storage container, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With reference now to FIGS. 25-26, in a second embodiment the supportpole 52 is again formed of a plurality of sheath members 60 andconnecting means 61 for selectively connecting the sheath members 60together. For this embodiment, however, there is no need for an elasticcord or a plurality of collar members. Instead, each of the sheathmembers 60 has a first female 63 end and a second male end 65. The firstfemale end 63 of one sheath member 60 is adapted to receive the secondmale end 65 of another sheath member 60. Preferably the connecting means61 for this embodiment uses a notch-in-groove connection 67. Bynotch-in-groove connection it is meant that one sheath member 60 has anotch 69 (or pin, or extension) that is received within a groove 71 in aneighboring sheath member 60. The notch-in-groove connection 67 forms arigid connection that permits the support pole 52 to be used to hold thefirst end 102 of the bag member 100 in an open and upright position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, the notch-in-groove connection 67 canbe easily disconnected, when desired, with a turn and pull motion aswill be described further below.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 25-26, each notch 69 may extend fromthe outer surface of the male end 65. Preferably, as shown, two notches69 extending oppositely from the sheath member 60 are used. However, onesuch notch or any number of notches chosen with sound engineeringjudgment will work with this invention. The preferred groove 71 isL-shaped, as shown, in order to create a groove leg 73 that is notparallel with the axis of the sheath member 60. Most preferably, thegroove leg 73 is angled with respect to the axis of the sheath member at90 degrees, as shown, or greater. In this way, when the notch 69 isreceived within the groove leg 73, it will not easily “fall out” of thegroove 71 unless so intended by the operator. To further secure thenotch 69 within the groove 71, an optional spring member 75 may bepositioned within the female end 63 of each sheath member 60. The springmember 75 receives the male end of the neighboring sheath member 60 andbiases the neighboring sheath member 60 away from the female end 63.This biasing force helps maintain the notch 69 within the groove leg 73.The spring member is supported within the female end 63 with a shelf 77positioned within the sheath member, as shown. Except as just described,the overall design and operation of the second embodiment support poleis similar to that described elsewhere regarding the first embodimentsupport pole.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 14-18, the ground engaging means 108of this invention can be used with two different ground conditions—arelatively soft ground surface and a relatively hard ground surface.When the ground surface is relatively soft, then the previouslydescribed caps 64 can be inserted directly into the ground 154 to securethe bag member 100 to the ground 154. As shown, the caps 64 have anarrowing end that is ideally designed for insertion into the ground154.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 14-19, when the ground surfaceis relatively hard, such as clay or densely packed soil, fourembodiments are provided. The first three embodiments use a peg member150 to engage and support the first and second ends 54, 56 of thesupport pole 52 into the ground. The first embodiment peg member 150 isshown in FIG. 15, the second embodiment peg member 150 is shown in FIGS.16-17, and the third embodiment peg member is shown in FIG. 18. For thefirst three embodiments, each peg member 150 has a first end 152 adaptedto be inserted into the ground 154 and a second end 156 with an opening158 that receives either end of the support pole 52.

With reference now to FIG. 15, the first embodiment peg member 150 isformed of a generally planar material, as shown in the far left portionof FIG. 15, that is rolled or curved, as illustrated in the middleportion of FIG. 15, to form a peg having a generally circular crosssection, as shown in the far right portion of FIG. 15. While anymaterial chosen with sound engineering judgment may be used, this firstembodiment peg member 150 is preferably formed of a sheet steel.Preferably, the first end narrows to a point 160, as shown, to make iteasier for the first end to bore a hole as the peg member 150 is forceddownward and inserted into the ground, point first. It is also preferredthat a stop member 200 be positioned within the peg member 150, asshown. This stop member 200 is used to limit or stop the motion of thesupport pole 52 as the support pole 52 is inserted into the opening 158in the peg member 150. In other words, the tip of the cap 64 contactsand rests against the stop member 200. The stop member 200 can be formedof any material chosen with sound engineering judgment including metal,plastic, and rubber.

With reference now to FIGS. 16-17, the second embodiment peg member 150operates and is used just like the first embodiment peg member. However,the second embodiment peg member 150 is formed in an extrusion process.Preferably, this peg member also includes a stop member 200. The tip ofthe cap 64 contacts and rests against the stop member 200, as shown inFIG. 17.

With reference now to FIG. 18, the third embodiment peg member 150 has aleg portion 250 adapted to be forced into the ground, a bracket portion252 that extends from the leg portion 250 and defines a force receivingsection 254, and a leg opening 256 that extends through the leg portion250 and the bracket portion 252. Preferably, the leg portion 250 has atleast one fin 162 (four shown) narrowing to a point 160 at one end ofthe leg portion 250. These fins 162 make it easier for the leg portion250 to bore a hole as the peg member 150 is forced downward into theground, point first. It is contemplated that the fin 162 (or fins) couldhave various designs and dimensions. However, a fin is not required forthis invention. The leg opening 256 extends from the top section of theleg portion 250 down into the leg portion interior and is adapted toreceive either end of the support pole 52. Preferably, the bracketportion 252 of each peg member 150 includes a first end 300 having ahole 302 that is adapted to receive an associated cord, rope, handle orthe like, and a second end 306 defining the force receiving section 254.The force receiving section 254 is intended for use as the portion ofthe peg member 150 that the operator applies the force to, such as withthe operator's foot or with a separate tool, in order to insert the pegmember 150 into the ground. Most preferably, the leg opening 256 ispositioned between the first and second ends of the bracket portion 252.An additional support portion 164 is preferred and shown as a form ofwebbing that strengthens the rigidity of the connection between the legportion 250 and the bracket portion 252. It is contemplated that thesupport portion 164 could have various designs and dimensions. However,the support portion is not required for this invention. Preferably thesecond embodiment peg member 150 is formed as one continuous piece thatis formed of plastic in a molded plastic process. However, it should beunderstood that the peg member 150 can be formed of any material andwith any method chosen with sound engineering judgment.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 19, the fourth embodiment for use witha relatively hard ground surface, uses a stake 170, such as aconventional tent-peg type stake 170 shown in FIG. 19. Morespecifically, the stake 170 is driven into the ground on one side of theopen end 102 of the bag member 100 and then removed from the ground.This may be repeated on the other side of the open end 102 of the bagmember 100. In this way the stake 170 is used to pilot holes into thehard ground. Once these holes in the ground have been formed, the firstand second ends of the support pole are inserted into them Withreference now to FIGS. 1, 4-5, 13 and 23-24, the first end 102 of thebag member 100 preferably includes a sleeve 106 for receiving thesupport pole 52. The sleeve 106 may be a continuous loop, as shown, oralternatively the sleeve 106 may be composed of multiple smaller loopsarranged about the first end 102 of the bag member 100. Preferably, thesleeve 106 is formed of a flexible material. The first open end 102 maybe selectively closeable as will be discussed further below. The secondclosed end 104 may be fixedly and permanently closed so as to hold lawndebris. However, in an alternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 23-24,opening means 358 is provided for selectively opening the second end ofthe bag member 100. This opening means 358 is preferably formed using azipper 360, as shown. Other known devices, such as snaps, may be usedfor this opening means 358.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the bag member 100 may also have a topportion 350 and a bottom portion 352. The bottom portion 352 may beconstructed from a durable material and may be formed of a solidmaterial in that it may not allow small particles to flow through it. Inother words, the preferred bottom portion material will hold in smalldebris as well as large debris. The bottom material may be a tarp-likematerial, and in the preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 352 ismade out of Polytuf®, a woven reinforced plastic. In this way the bottomportion 352 can withstand a lot of abuse and abrasion.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the top portion 350 may beconstructed from a mesh-like material. The mesh-like material may belighter in material weight than the bottom portion. It is noted that anymaterial may be chosen with sound engineering judgment for use on thetop and bottom portions 350, 352 of the bag member 100 as is consistentwith the subject invention. It is also to be noted that the material forthe top and bottom portions 350, 352 may be flexible. In this manner,the bag member 100 may be collapsible and foldable. Therefore the device50 may be folded and stored in a container for storage, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Any type of container may be chosen with soundengineering judgment including but not limited to a bag or box.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-5, the first open end 102 may include aselectively closeable section 354, which may extend along the fulllength of the first open end 102. However, any length or section of thefirst open end 102 may be selectively open-able or closeable. Thecloseable section 354 may include a zipper member 112 that zips closed.Most preferably two zipper members are used, as shown in FIG. 5.Alternately, snaps may be used to close the first open end 102. However,it should be noted that any means for securely selectivelyopening/closing the first open end 102 chosen with sound engineeringjudgment would work well with this invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 4, as noted above, the support pole 52is used to hold the first end 102 of the bag member 100 in an open andupright position. The use of the support pole 52 means that the firstopen end 102 may be retained in an open configuration without the helpof the operator. This allows the operator to gather debris, with a rakeor other hand tool for example, and channel or sweep the debris easilyinto the device 50 without having to hold open the bag member 100. Thisis shown in FIG. 1 and works with either support pole embodiment.

With reference now to FIGS. 4, 6 and 21, the bag member 100 may alsoinclude one or more handles 110. The handles 110 may be secured to anyportion of the bag member 100. However, in one embodiment, the handles110 are fashioned as an extension from the corners of the bag member100. The handles 110 may be fixedly sewn onto the material thatconstructs either the top or bottom portions 350, 352 of the bag member100. The handles 110 may be used to pull or transport the device 50 suchas when transporting debris to a vehicle 400 as shown in FIG. 21. Inanother embodiment, the handles 110 may be used to secure the device 50to a transportation vehicle 400, which may be a trailer or truck orother vehicle. The handles 110 may be secured to the vehicle 400 to keepthe debris from blowing away during transportation.

With reference to FIG. 4, the lawn debris bag device 50 of thisinvention has at least two key applications. One use is residential,around homes, and the second use is with commercial establishments. Inmany states the laws require that all loads, including lawn debris, mustbe covered or contained when being transported by a vehicle—especially“on road” applications. Sometimes these laws also prevent persons fromplacing grass bags into a landfill. The lawn debris bag 50 of thisinvention is ideal to properly conform to both of these types of laws—itattaches to the vehicle 400 and/or a trailer so that the debris iseasily covered. Since the debris is simply emptied out of the lawndebris bag 50 (the lawn debris bag is reusable), no bags are placed in alandfill (or otherwise disposed of).

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 21-22, the inventor contemplatesproviding lawn debris bags 50 made at a various specific sizes.Preferably, at least some of these sizes are appropriate to attach to alawn care trailer and/or the back of a vehicle 400 such as a pick-uptruck. In one embodiment, the lawn debris bag 50 can be selectivelyattached to the tailgate of the pick-up truck (or other vehicle). In apreferred embodiment, a plurality of hook members 402 is used to attachthe device 50 to the vehicle 400. Alternatively or in addition as notedabove, the handles 110 may be used to attach the device 50 to thevehicle 400 or trailer. The truck or trailer may have a tail gate (ordrop-down gate). In use, the operator may put the gate down so that lawnmowers and other equipment can be rolled (taken) off. Then, the lawndebris bag 50 may be attached to the gate.

With reference now to all the FIGURES, the use of the lawn debris bag 50of this invention will now be described. The lawn debris bag 50 is firsttransported to the location where it will be used. The various sheathmembers 60 are then connected together using either of the twoconnecting means 61 described above. In this way, the support pole 52 ispositioned into a first condition where it defines a continuous line orcurve. The support pole 52 is then inserted into the sleeve 106 in thebag member 100 to hold the first end 102 of the bag member 100 in anopen and upright position. Next, if the ground is relatively soft, theends of the support pole 52 are engaged or inserted directly into theground 154. Alternatively, if the ground is relatively hard, a pair ofpeg members 150 may be inserted into the ground on opposite sides of theopen end 102 of the bag member 100. The ends of the support pole 52 arethen engaged or inserted into the openings 158 in the peg members 150.Once the support pole 52 and bag member 100 are properly positioned andsecured, the bag member 100 may be filled with lawn debris. Once filled,the closeable section 354 may be positioned over the first opening 102and secured in place by, for example, zipping the zipper into a closedcondition.

With continuing reference to all the FIGURES, to dispose of the debriswithin the lawn debris bag 50, the support pole 52 should be removedfrom the ground or from the peg members 150. If peg members 150 areused, they also should be removed from the ground. The support pole 52can then be placed into the second condition, noted above, where thesheath members 60 are arranged such that their axes C-C are parallelwith each other. This makes storage of the support pole 52 veryconvenient. The bag member 100 may then be transported to a disposalsite where debris may be easily removed either by using the first openend 102 of the bag member 100 and/or by using the opening means 358 atthe second end 104 of the bag member 100. Once the debris is removed, ifthe second embodiment peg members 150 are use, then a cord, rope or thelike may inserted into the hole 302 to thereby tie or connect the pegmembers 150 to the device 50. The bag member 100 may then be folded upfor storage as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A device comprising: a support pole having first and second ends andcomprising: (a) at least first, second, and third sheath members; and,(b) connecting means for selectively connecting the first, second, andthird sheath members together; wherein the support pole is selectivelypositionable into (1) a first condition where the first, second andthird sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve;and, (2) a second condition where the first, second and third sheathmembers are arranged such that their axes are parallel with each other;a bag member having a first open end and a second closed end, the firstend having a sleeve for receiving the support pole, the support pole foruse in holding the first end of the bag member in an open and uprightposition; and, ground engaging means for engaging the first and secondends of the support pole into the ground.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the ground engaging means comprises: a first peg member having afirst end adapted to be inserted into the ground and a second end withan opening that receives the first end of the support pole; and, asecond peg member having a first end adapted to be inserted into theground and a second end with an opening that receives the second end ofthe support pole.
 3. The device of claim 2 further comprising: a firststop member adapted to contact the first end of the support pole andpositioned within the first peg member; and, a second stop memberadapted to contact the second end of the support pole and positionedwithin the second peg member.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the firstand second peg members each comprise: a leg portion adapted to be forcedinto the ground; a bracket portion that extends from the leg portion anddefines a force receiving section; and, a leg opening that extendsthrough the leg portion and the bracket portion, the leg opening adaptedto receive either end of the support pole.
 5. The device of claim 1wherein the ground engaging means comprises: a peg member used to pilotholes in the ground into which the first and second ends of the supportpole are received.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first, secondand third sheath members are flexible and return to a generally linearorientation after having been flexed.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein:each of the first, second and third sheath members comprises a firstfemale end and a second male end, wherein the first female end of onesheath member is adapted to receive the second male end of anothersheath member; and, wherein the connecting means comprises anotch-in-groove connection.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein theconnecting means further comprises: a spring member positioned withinthe first female end of each of the first, second and third sheathmembers, wherein the spring member of one sheath member is adapted toreceive and bias the second male end of another sheath member; and, atleast a first notch extending from the second male end and at least afirst groove formed on the first female end, wherein the first groove inone sheath member is adapted to receive the first notch from anothersheath member.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the connecting meanscomprises: an elastic cord that is received within the at least first,second, and third sheath members; at least first and second collarmembers that receive the elastic cord; and, wherein the first collarmember is selectively locateable between the first and second sheathmembers to connect the first and second sheath members together, andwherein the second collar member is selectively locateable between thesecond and third sheath members to connect the second and third sheathmembers together.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the bag member has atop portion formed of a first material and a bottom portion formed of asecond material that is substantially different from the first material.11. The device of claim 1 wherein the bag member further comprises: acloseable section that is selectively positionable over the first openend of the bag member; and, securing means for securing the closeablesection over the first open end of the bag member.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein the bag member further comprises: opening means forselectively opening the second-closed end of the bag member.
 13. Amethod of using a lawn debris bag comprising the steps of: providing asupport pole having first and second ends and comprising at least first,second, and third sheath members; providing a bag member having a firstopen end and a second closed end, the first end having a sleeve;positioning the support pole into a first condition where the first,second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous lineor curve; inserting the support pole into the sleeve in the bag memberto hold the first end of the bag member in an open and upright position;engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground;removing the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bagmember; and, positioning the support pole into a second condition wherethe first, second and third sheath members are arranged such that theiraxes are parallel with each other.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinthe step of engaging the first and second ends of the support pole intothe ground, comprise the steps of: providing first and second pegmembers each having first and second ends; inserting the first end ofthe first peg member into the ground; inserting the first end of thesupport pole into an opening in the second end of the first peg member;inserting the first end of the second peg member into the ground; and,inserting the second end of the support pole into an opening in thesecond end of the second peg member.
 15. The method of claim 13 whereinthe step of engaging the first and second ends of the support pole intothe ground, comprise the steps of: providing a stake; piloting holes inthe ground with the stake on opposite sides of the open end of the bagmember; and, inserting the first and second ends of the support poleinto the ground.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein before the step ofremoving the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bagmember, the method comprises the steps of: filing the bag member withdebris; positioning a closeable section over the first opening in thebag member; and, securing the closeable section over the first openingin the bag member.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein after the step ofremoving the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bagmember, the method comprises the step of: opening the second closed endof the bag member; and, emptying the debris from the bag member usingthe opening at the second closed end of the bag member.
 18. The methodof claim 13 wherein the step of positioning the support pole into afirst condition where the first, second and third sheath members arearranged to define a continuous line or curve, comprises the steps of:providing each of the first, second and third sheath members with afirst female end and a second male end; and, inserting the male end ofone sheath member within the female end of another sheath member. 19.The method of claim 18 wherein the step of positioning the support poleinto a first condition where the first, second and third sheath membersare arranged to define a continuous line or curve, further comprises thesteps of: providing a spring member and at least one groove within thefirst female end of each of the first, second and third sheath members;providing at least a first notch extending from the second male end ofeach of the first, second and third sheath members; and, wherein thestep of inserting the male end of one sheath member within the femaleend of another sheath member, comprises the steps of: (a) inserting thefirst notch of the one sheath member within the first groove of theanother sheath member; (b) compressing the spring within the anothersheath member; and (c) rotating the one sheath member with respect tothe second sheath member.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the step ofpositioning the support pole into a first condition where the first,second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous lineor curve, comprises the steps of: providing an elastic cord that isreceived by the first, second and third sheath members; providing atleast first and second collar members that receive the elastic cord;connecting the first and second sheath members together using the firstcollar member; and, connecting the second and third sheath memberstogether using the second collar member.